PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Inside the Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Red Cross, phones rarely stopped ringing in the wake of the massive typhoon in the Philippines.

Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the local Red Cross, said the organization moved quickly to assist in relief efforts.

“We have predeployed food and supplies to ensure that when we know where the need is greatest, we can get those supplies in very quickly,” Hughes said.

The Red Cross is also offering the local Filipino community a way to contact loved ones in the typhoon ravaged nation.

Hughes says the agency offers a service called “Family Tracing”.

“This service is available for persons who have family members who are living in a disaster area, who were in regular contact with their family before the disaster occurred,” said Hughes. “Also, if you have family who are not US citizens, we can still be of assistance.”

The Red Cross can be reached locally by calling 215-299-4889.

If you have family members who are not US citizens, you can call the State Department directly at 888-407-4747.